When the Bees Are in the Hive

By the old mill sits the miller's pretty daughter, Her cheeks were like the first red rose of June
Her sweet voice sounds just like the rippling water, And so tenderly she hums an old love tune

Chorus
When the bees are in the hive and the honey's in the comb
And the golden sunbeam bends to kiss the dew
While the old mill wheel turns 'round I love you Mary
When the bees are in the hive I'll come to you

But soon her song of joy was turned to sorrow, For her sweetheart now has come to say goodbye
She's thinking sadly of a lonely 'morrow, As he kisses her he murmurs with a sigh

By the old mill sits the lonely maid repining, While she looked down in the silver waters shining
And her face was like the spring rose far away, And she sees her golden locks are dimmed with gray

Long years she's waited there for his returning, For the lamp of hope still in her heart is burning
All in vain she's thinking he'll come back some day, As the old mill wheel turns 'round it seems to say